Photo by: Andy Mead
Omarion Hampton Selected In First Round Of 2025 NFL Draft By Los Angeles Chargers
April 24, 2025 | Football
GREEN BAY, Wis. – University of North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton was selected 22nd overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday evening.
Hampton is the third Carolina running back to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, the first since 1971, joining Don McCauley (1971 – 22nd overall) and Ken Willard (1965 – 2nd overall) as first-round running back selections.Â
The Tar Heels have now produced 10 first-round draft picks since 2008, the third most in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
In his three-year career in Chapel Hill, Hampton scattered his name throughout the Carolina record books. For his career, he rushed for 3,565 yards (fourth all-time) and 36 rushing touchdowns (third all-time).
Hampton concluded the '24 season with 1,660 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, adding 373 yards and two touchdowns receiving. Hampton's 1,660 yards on the ground are the second most by a Tar Heel in a single season, becoming the ninth Tar Heel with multiple seasons with 1,000 yards rushing. Omarion ended the season with 10 games of 100+ rushing yards, highlighted by a season best 244 yards against Wake Forest.
A two-time All-ACC selection and two-time Doak Walker Award Finalist, Hampton burst onto the national scene in 2023 during his sophomore season, collecting All-America honors 10 times during his final two seasons at Carolina.
In his first campaign as the primary Tar Heel tailback in 2023, Hampton finished the year with 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground, with 222 yards and a receiving touchdown in the passing game.
Hampton began his collegiate career in 2022 as a true freshman, appearing in 13 games, totaling 401 rushing yards and six touchdowns, on 88 carries. In his collegiate debut, the Clayton, N.C. native rushed for 101 yards, becoming the first true freshman with 100-or-more rushing yards in his first career game since Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice in 1946.
Hampton's Career Accolades
Doak Walker Award Finalist (2023, 2024)
First Team AFCA All-America (2024)
Second Team AFCA All-America (2023)
Second Team Sporting News All-America (2023, 2024)
Second Team Associated Press All-America (2023, 2024)
First Team Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America (2023)
Second Team Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America (2024)
Second Team CBS Sports All-America (2023, 2024)
First Team All-ACC (2023, 2024)
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Hampton is the third Carolina running back to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, the first since 1971, joining Don McCauley (1971 – 22nd overall) and Ken Willard (1965 – 2nd overall) as first-round running back selections.Â
The Tar Heels have now produced 10 first-round draft picks since 2008, the third most in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
In his three-year career in Chapel Hill, Hampton scattered his name throughout the Carolina record books. For his career, he rushed for 3,565 yards (fourth all-time) and 36 rushing touchdowns (third all-time).
Hampton concluded the '24 season with 1,660 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, adding 373 yards and two touchdowns receiving. Hampton's 1,660 yards on the ground are the second most by a Tar Heel in a single season, becoming the ninth Tar Heel with multiple seasons with 1,000 yards rushing. Omarion ended the season with 10 games of 100+ rushing yards, highlighted by a season best 244 yards against Wake Forest.
A two-time All-ACC selection and two-time Doak Walker Award Finalist, Hampton burst onto the national scene in 2023 during his sophomore season, collecting All-America honors 10 times during his final two seasons at Carolina.
In his first campaign as the primary Tar Heel tailback in 2023, Hampton finished the year with 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground, with 222 yards and a receiving touchdown in the passing game.
Hampton began his collegiate career in 2022 as a true freshman, appearing in 13 games, totaling 401 rushing yards and six touchdowns, on 88 carries. In his collegiate debut, the Clayton, N.C. native rushed for 101 yards, becoming the first true freshman with 100-or-more rushing yards in his first career game since Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice in 1946.
Hampton's Career Accolades
Doak Walker Award Finalist (2023, 2024)
First Team AFCA All-America (2024)
Second Team AFCA All-America (2023)
Second Team Sporting News All-America (2023, 2024)
Second Team Associated Press All-America (2023, 2024)
First Team Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America (2023)
Second Team Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America (2024)
Second Team CBS Sports All-America (2023, 2024)
First Team All-ACC (2023, 2024)
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Players Mentioned
Running Back
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